Discover your neighbourhood: Brera in Milan

Brera is one of the most beautiful places to live in Milan. Learn more about Brera's infrastructure, culture and rental prices!

Angelina

6 minute read

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Updated on 9 Oct 2024

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Living

Brera is the true artistic district of Milan. It's relatively small compared to other Milan’s neighbourhoods, but don’t let the size fool you. You’ll find that Brera’s got quite a few surprises up its sleeve.

This area is often called 'Milan’s Greenwich Village' or 'the SoHo of Milan.' These names refer to the high concentration of galleries, museums and boutiques as well as Brera's social scene that's reminiscent of the lower west side of Manhattan. But despite those familiarities, Milan’s Brera is unique in its own way.

It's for a good reason this neighbourhood is the hottest spot for international celebrities and the focus of Milan’s artistic milieu!

Because this district is so compact, you’ll find that all the facilities are within arm's reach. You can just walk to one of the many supermarkets or corner shops for Italian groceries. And on Monday and Thursdays, you can get fresh products from the farmer's market of San Marco. You’ll also be surrounded by an abundance of specialty shops such as butcher’s, deli and some of the best bakeries in town. But we’ll give you some recommendations later!

Moreover, Brera borders other great districts. You’ll have the vibrant gay quarter, Porta Venezia to the west.

Walk north, and you’re in Milan's business district, Porta Nuova. That might be perfect if you’re planning to work or do an internship in one of the Fortune 500 companies.

And to the south, you’re just 15 minutes away from the famous Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.

For longer trips, you can choose from a variety of public transportation options. Brera is conveniently located between three metro lines; M1, M2 and M3. That means you can be in any part of Milan in no time!

Similarly, as you walk outside the narrow cobblestone streets, you’ll stumble upon plenty of bus and tram stops.

While strolling through the streets of this historic district, you can’t help but be captivated by its bohemian charm. But you’ll quickly discover that behind the glamorous facade of expensive boutiques is hidden the real essence of Brera waiting to be discovered.

Explore Brera on foot

On every corner, the neighbourhood boasts small artisan’s workshops and antique shops. If you’re up for an adventure, you should go on a quest of revealing these hidden gems of Brera.

Walk through the small cobblestoned streets such as Via del Carmine and Fiori Oscuri (dark flowers). As you walk,nexplore little alleys and yards concealed between old buildings.

Pay a visit to Via Fiori Chiari on Sunday afternoons to find the fortune tellers’ tables stationed in front of high-end boutiques.

Just a short walk away is the Brera Botanical Garden, a perfect place for contemplation or reading a book. Pass the garden and you’ll get to the old Astronomical Observatory of Brera. Attached to it are Braidense National Library, the Brera Academy and Palazzo Brera. The even smaller and more discreet place is Giardini Perego which you can reach within 6 minutes from the botanical garden. So many treasures to explore!

To the opposite side of the Brera neighbourhood spreads a vast green area, Sempione Park. This lovely place houses a pond and a bridge with the cute name, Bridge of the Little Mermaids. You’ll also find many other installations and attractions such as an old amphitheatre, The Civic Aquarium and multiple fountains.

Making the life of locals all the more exciting, the Sempione Park hosts all kinds of events, from exciting exhibitions to live concerts and aperitifs.

Discover art in Brera

Stay right where you are because right next to the Sempione Park you’ll find many significant art institutions. Those who enjoy history should check out Rondanini Pieta Museum, Museum of Ancient Art and Museum of Decorative Arts - all housed inside the mediaeval castle Sforzesco.

If you’re into contemporary art and design, you can’t miss the Triennale di Milano. This innovative space that hosts immersive multidisciplinary installations won The Gold Medal for Italian Architecture.

And, of course, the famous Pinacoteca Brera gallery can't go unmentioned. There you can see famous paintings by the likes of Mantegna and Tintoretto.

We’ve listed some of the most important art institutions in Milan’s Brera. But as you explore this neighbourhood, you’ll surely find so much more!

Go shopping in Brera

As we mentioned, Brera boasts an abundance of shopping opportunities. Here you’ll find famous brands like Acne Studios neighbouring multi-brand concept stores like Clan Upstairs as well as a myriad of vintage boutiques and perfume stores.

Want something even more luxurious? The famous fashion district The Quadrilatero Della Moda is less than 10 minutes away. You can expect all the fashion heavyweights; D&G, Chanel, Prada, Gucci … you name it!

And if you walk 15 minutes to the north of Brera, the famous 10 Corso Como awaits. The ultimate shopping experience for anyone with a big wallet. Fashion, music, lifestyle, art, all under one roof! But there is even more to it! 10 Corso Como has a restaurant, hotel and art gallery too.

If you like the sound of that but can’t afford it, Brera’s local market’s got you covered! Every third Sunday of the month, you’ll see the streets of Via Fiori Chiari, Via Madonnina and Via Formentini fill up with market stalls. They sell everything from vintage clothes and antique items to jewellery, books and porcelain.

Depart on a gastronomic journey in Brera

And we reached the tastiest part of our guide!

Brera boasts many great food places for every taste and wallet.

Start your day with a cappuccino and a fresh pastry at Princi, one of the best breakfast spots in Brera.

For lunch, grab an original Venetian Tramezzino at Trame. Basically, it’s a triangular sandwich without crust, stuffed with flavorful combinations of fresh local ingredients. A perfect quick bite if you’re on the go.

Or stop by the local grocer, the Orto di Brera for a quick and healthy vegetarian meal from the highest quality fresh ingredients. And don’t forget to cop your veggies and fruits while you’re here. You’ll notice they taste quite a bit better than what you can buy at a supermarket!

What comes after lunch? Of course, it’s aperitif!

One of our favourite spots for an aperetivo in Brera is the authentic underground cellar of N’Ombra de Vin. A go-to place for wine in Milan!

Another truly lovely place for a drink is Fioraio Bianchi Caffè. This hybrid between florist shop and cafe makes a charming backdrop for a relaxed cocktail session!

When the clock strikes 19.30, it's time for dinner in Italy!

If you want to try traditional Milanese cuisine in Brera, make sure to visit Osteria di Brera or the romantic terrace of Clotilde Brera. Both menus have all the local classics like ossobuco and risotto alla Milanese.

For something more quirky, you can visit Temakinho. The restaurant offers a unique and unexpected fusion between Japanese cuisine and South American flavours. A mix that’s actually the result of a long history of Japanese immigration to Brazil after World War I. Temakinho constantly reinvents its menu by involving its customers through product-testing initiatives. So you’re in for a treat!

Explore the nightlife in Brera

Can’t wait to get the taste of Milanese nightlife? Brera is a great place to kickstart a killer night!

Begin your night adventure with a few cocktails at the cosy Tibi Bistrot Provençal or the sleek Dry Milano.

And when you’re properly warmed up, you can continue your night at one of the exclusive nightclubs of Brera. Some of those are Hollywood and Armani Prive. However, keep in mind that the door policy is pretty strict and the prices steep. But it’s worth it if an exclusive experience is what you’re after!

If that’s not your jam, Milan has a more underground scene that you’re welcome to discover. Our favourite spot is Tempio del Futuro Perduto located near the Chinatown of Milan in the Bullona district. You can reach it within 15 minutes by bike from Brera. Anyone who values a communal and safe atmosphere will find this place a breath of fresh air!

Brera is a beautiful place to live in. Most of the buildings in the area are well-maintained and nicely decorated. People put a great deal of love and care into their homes. You’ll notice painted stone facades, windows with shutters and balconies overflowing with flower pots. It’s like being in a fairy tale! Plus, it’s very popular among other expats living in Milan as well as a great deal of celebrities.

But don’t expect the fantasy to come cheap. It might come as no surprise that Brera is one of the most expensive neighbourhoods in Milan.

When budgeting your living costs in Milan, you can consider the following prices:

Even though you'll find cheaper prices in other parts of Milan, there isn’t quite a place to live in like Brera. Especially if the bohemian lifestyle and a central location are what you’re after. Here you get all the perks of living in the heart of Milan without the hustle and bustle of the nearby Duomo.

However, do look out for the busy streets in Brera too. Living on the first floor above a noisy bar might not be ideal for your lifestyle. Then one of the smaller and quieter alleys like Via S. Carpoforo will be just right for your new home!

If you’re not familiar with the Italian rental market, we advise you to familiarise yourself with your tenant rights before signing a contract. It’s also useful to understand the difference between renting including or excluding utilities in Italy. Especially because you might encounter some language barriers with your potential landlords.

Finally, when you find rental homes in Milan, make sure you take care of all the paperwork on your relocation checklist. Just so that nothing catches you off guard, when arriving in this beautiful city!

We hope you enjoy your exciting experience abroad in Brera!